A year and a half of relentless training had transformed Rudra. His Sharingan now bore three tomoe, sharpening his perception and combat skills to new heights. Sage Mode, unlocked through his Senju bloodline, and mastery over wood-style techniques had elevated his strength even further.
Though wind chakra remained a challenge, his shadow clones diligently worked to perfect it. On top of this, he had formed a summoning contract with crows.
Sitting on the porch of his forest home, Rudra waited for Roland, the man who had taken him in. The serene surroundings offered a rare moment of peace. This quiet haven had become his sanctuary, and Roland felt like family.
Taking a deep breath, Rudra muttered, "Status."
A translucent screen appeared before him:
###
Name: Rudra
Age: 19
Race: Human / ???
Title: Sage
Bloodline: Uchiha / Senju
Class: Swordsman / Ninja
Abilities: Perfect Body / Soul of the Sword
Stats:
Strength: A
Endurance: A
Dexterity: A
Agility: S
Intelligence: A
Willpower: A
Chakra: SS
Chakra Control: S
Chakra Nature: Fire / Lightning / Earth / Water / Wind
Shop: Available
Coins: 500
Quest:
###
Rudra studied the screen with a faint smile. "This should be enough to survive anywhere," he thought. But the thought of leaving this place brought an ache to his chest. Over time, he had grown deeply attached to Roland, the man who had cared for him like his own.
As his thoughts drifted, a memory from a few months ago surfaced, one that brought a bittersweet smile to his face.
Flashback no Jutsu
Rudra, drenched in sweat from a long day of training, pushed open the door and stepped into the house. The warm, inviting aroma of cooking greeted him, wrapping him in a sense of comfort. Roland, standing by the stove, turned with a smile that seemed to light up the room.
"Ah, there you are," Roland said warmly. "Sit down, boy. Dinner's ready."
Rudra raised an eyebrow as he dropped into a chair, his curiosity piqued. "What's with the grin, old man? You look like you've won the lottery."
Roland chuckled as he plated the food. "Today's a special day," he said, carrying the dishes to the table.
"A special day?" Rudra repeated, tilting his head. "What's the occasion?"
Instead of answering, Roland disappeared into the kitchen and returned moments later with a small cake, carefully setting it down in front of Rudra. The younger man's eyes widened in surprise.
"Today," Roland said softly, his voice carrying a hint of emotion, "is the day I found you. I thought that was worth celebrating."
Rudra froze, a lump forming in his throat as the weight of the gesture sank in. "Gramps..." he started, his voice faltering. "Thank you. For everything."
Roland's expression softened as he took a seat. "No need to thank me, boy. You're like a grandson to me. I wouldn't have it any other way."
Rudra's lips curved into a genuine smile, his chest tightening with gratitude. "You're too good to me, old man."
The two shared a moment of quiet understanding before laughter and conversation filled the room, carrying on late into the evening. It was a memory Rudra would carry with him—a reminder of the bond they shared and the home they had built together.
End of Flashback no Jutsu
As Rudra sat on the porch, the setting sun painted the forest in hues of gold and crimson. The memories from his dispelled shadow clones flooded back into his mind—hours of rigorous training condensed into an instant. Despite the satisfaction of progress, an unease gnawed at him. Roland hadn't returned.
Two hours passed, and the sinking feeling in Rudra's chest became unbearable. He rose to his feet, glancing down the shadowy path leading into the forest. "It's not like him to be this late," he murmured, his voice tinged with worry. A chill ran down his spine, and his instincts screamed that something was wrong.
Steeling himself, Rudra stepped back into the house to prepare. He grabbed his cloak and kodachi, fastening the blade securely at his side. As he stepped back outside, the forest had grown eerily quiet. He set his sights on the path leading toward the town.
When Rudra finally reached a clearing, his breath caught in his throat. In the distance, the town was engulfed in flames, the inferno casting a hellish glow against the darkening sky. Thick smoke billowed upward, choking the stars above
"No…" Rudra whispered, his voice trembling. Panic surged through him, and without hesitation, he performed Shunshin no Jutsu.
With a burst of chakra, he vanished in a blur, the trees whipping past him as he raced toward the chaos. His heart pounded in his chest, each beat echoing his desperate mantra.
Please be safe, old man. Please.
As the burning town drew closer, Rudra skidded to a halt, his sharp eyes catching sight of a grim scene ahead. A cart lay overturned on the road, its contents strewn across the path. Logs and splintered wood scattered the ground. By the edge of the road, slumped against a tree, was a motionless figure.
Rudra's stomach twisted. His feet felt like lead as he approached, each step slower than the last. When he finally saw the face, the world seemed to stop.
"Gramps…"
The old man's body was battered and bloodied, his face pale and lifeless. Rudra dropped to his knees beside him, his hands trembling as they hovered over Roland's chest, hoping against hope to feel even the faintest sign of life.
"Come on, old man," Rudra whispered, his voice cracking. "You can't leave me. Not like this."
But there was no response.
"Why…?" he choked out, his vision blurring as tears began to fall. He reached out, his trembling fingers brushing against Roland's cold hand. For a moment, he sat there in silence, the weight of grief pressing down on him like an avalanche.
Then, his gaze shifted toward the burning town in the distance. The flames danced in his crimson eyes, now swirling with the awakened power of his Sharingan. A storm of emotions—grief, rage, and resolve—coursed through him, fueling the intensity of his gaze.
"This wasn't an accident," Rudra muttered, his voice low and venomous.
He stood, his hand tightening around the hilt of his kodachi. The tears on his face had dried, replaced by a cold, simmering fury.
"I'll find who did this," he said, his tone sharp and unyielding. "And they'll regret it."
Without looking back, Rudra walked toward the burning town, his silhouette disappearing into the smoke and flames. His resolve was unshakable, and his heart burned with vengeance for the only family he had left.
Near the town square, a group of cloaked figures gathered in the flickering light of the flames. Their hushed voices carried an air of urgency.
One of them, a subordinate, turned to the leader. "Sir, we've captured all the children in this town. They're unconscious and locked inside the church."
The leader nodded, a sinister grin spreading across his face. "Excellent. With this batch, our operations can resume. Prepare the transport. We leave soon."
Before he could issue another order, another cloaked figure came running toward them, panic etched on his face. "Sir! We have an intruder!"
The leader's grin faded into a frown. "An intruder? Who is it?"
The messenger began to explain but froze mid-sentence, his eyes widening in shock. A lightning-infused kunai had embedded itself into his back. The explosion that followed consumed him in a flash of sparks and smoke, leaving only silence as his lifeless body crumpled to the ground.
The remaining figures turned, their eyes drawn to the source of the attack. A young man stepped into the square, his sword gleaming in the firelight. He had black hair, and as his crimson Sharingan glowed ominously, its spiraling pattern was both hypnotic and dangerous.
The leader's voice hardened. "Get ready. This one's not ordinary."
A mage stepped forward, chanting rapidly before launching a massive fireball. The searing orb of flame hurtled toward Rudra, but before it could reach him, his figure blurred. In an instant, he was among them.
The first cloaked man fell without a sound, his body cleaved in two. Another raised a hand to cast a spell but was silenced as Rudra's sword pierced his throat.
"Stop him!" the leader barked.
The remaining cloaked figures launched a flurry of attacks—fire and lightning spells arcing through the air. But Rudra's Sharingan predicted their every move. With precise and fluid motions, he weaved through the chaos, closing the distance between himself and his enemies.
His sword became a whirlwind of vengeance, cutting through their defenses like paper. Blood sprayed as one by one, the figures fell. Their screams filled the square, only to be swallowed by the roaring flames around them.
Within moments, only the leader remained, standing amidst the carnage. Yet, he showed no fear. Instead, he laughed, his voice echoing eerily in the smoky air.
"Well, well," the leader said, his grin returning. "You're quite the spectacle."
Rudra pointed his blood-streaked blade at him. "What's so amusing?"
The leader tilted his head, his eyes glinting. "I think we've met before."
Rudra's expression didn't waver, though his Sharingan spun faster.
"No matter," the leader continued nonchalantly. "You'll die here all the same."
The man raised his hand, preparing to attack, but his movements faltered. His vision blurred, and suddenly, the world around him shifted.
When he blinked, he was no longer in the burning square. Instead, he found himself suspended in a crimson-hued void, bound to a cross. Rudra stood before him, his Sharingan glowing with malevolent intensity.
"What is this?!" the leader shouted, thrashing against his restraints. "What have you done?!"
Rudra's voice was cold and detached. "This is my world. Here, time and space bend to my will. You won't die, but you'll wish you could. Now, answer me."
The leader sneered, defiant even in the face of terror. "I'll tell you nothing!"
Rudra stepped forward, his gaze icy. "So be it."
He drove his blade into the man's chest, pulling it out only to strike again. Each stab brought a fresh wave of agony, and the leader's screams echoed endlessly in the void. Time stretched, the pain unrelenting, until finally, the leader broke.
"Stop!" he cried. "I'll talk! Just stop!"
Rudra paused, his blade hovering mid-air. "Why are you kidnapping the children?"
"I—I don't know the full details!" the leader stammered. "I'm just following orders!"
"Whose orders?" Rudra demanded, his voice razor-sharp.
The leader hesitated before blurting out, "Our base is near the town of Salice! That's all I know, I swear!"
Rudra stared at him for a long moment, his gaze unreadable. "You've told me what I need to know."
With a snap of his fingers, the Tsukuyomi faded, and the leader, drenched in sweat and fear, collapsed to his knees. His breath came in ragged gasps as he struggled to his feet, desperately trying to escape.
"I can make it… I just need to—"
His thoughts were cut short as his head separated from his body in one clean stroke. The leader's lifeless form crumpled to the ground, blood pooling around him.
Rudra stood over the corpse, his sword dripping crimson. For a moment, he simply stared, the weight of his actions settling in his chest. Then, without a word, he sheathed his blade and turned away, the flames casting his shadow long against the ground.
His path of vengeance was far from over, and the weight of his resolve pressed heavier with each step.